Psalm 140

Prayer for Deliverance from Evil Men

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

1 Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men;

Preserve me from violent men,

2 Who plan evil things in their hearts;

aThey continually gather together for war.

3 They sharpen their tongues like a serpent;

The bpoison of asps is under their lips.

Selah

4 cKeep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked;

Preserve me from violent men,

Who have purposed to make my steps stumble.

5 The proud have hidden a dsnare for me, and cords;

They have spread a net by the wayside;

They have set traps for me.

Selah

6 I said to the Lord: “You are my God;

Hear the voice of my supplications, O Lord.

7 O God the Lord, the strength of my salvation,

You have 1covered my head in the day of battle.

8 Do not grant, O Lord, the desires of the wicked;

Do not further his wicked scheme,

eLest they be exalted.

Selah

9 “As for the head of those who surround me,

Let the evil of their lips cover them;

10 fLet burning coals fall upon them;

Let them be cast into the fire,

Into deep pits, that they rise not up again.

11 Let not a slanderer be established in the earth;

Let evil hunt the violent man to overthrow him.”

12 I know that the Lord will gmaintain

The cause of the afflicted,

And justice for the poor.

13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks to Your name;

The upright shall dwell in Your presence.